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With tensions beginning to show in the DEEP PURPLE camp, bizarrely Blackmore was linked to the reformation of WHITESNAKE in 1994, but rumours of a RAINBOW reformation continued unabated. Blackmore finally walked out on DEEP PURPLE prior to some Japanese dates, being swiftly replaced by JOE SATRIANI then STEVE MORSE. In late 1994 Blackmore was rehearsing as a solo artist in Connecticut with ex-LA PAZ, SOLE ASYLUM, PRAYING MANTIS and MIDNIGHT BLUE vocalist Doogie White. The singer had first come to Blackmore's attention when the ambitious Scotsman had dropped off a tape with DEEP PURPLE's tour manager at Blackmore's last London gig with his old troupe.

Also involved in these formative steps was VIRGIN STEELE and RONDINELLI bassist Rob DeMartino. This inevitably culminated in a RAINBOW reformation with the addition of ex-ALICE COOPER and BLUE OYSTER CULT bassist Greg Smith, keyboard player Paul Morris and drummer John O'Reilly.

Before long O'Reilly had jumped to BLUE OYSTER CULT and ex-RAINBOW drummer Chuck Burgi, who had been replaced by O'Reilly in BLUE OYSTER CULT, joined the fold. Eventually Burgi returned to BLUE OYSTER CULT and O'Reilly was back in position for RAINBOW. This bizarre scenario of swapping drummers between the two acts did not end there as Burgi's place in BLUE OYSTER CULT was taken shortly after by Bobby Rondinelli- ex RAINBOW! 1994 also saw the release of an album with strong RAINBOW connections. The band RED DAWN featured ex keyboard player David Rosenthal, drummer Chuck Burgi and bassist Greg Smith.

RAINBOW completed a highly successful tour of Europe during the winter of 1995 marred only by the apathetic rejection of the British media. RAINBOW was duly put on ice once again.

White released an album of pre-RAINBOW material titled 'Eros Of Love And Destruction' with his side project CHAIN in 1996. Featured musicians included FM keyboard player Jem Davis and VAN DAMME guitarist Ashley John Limer.

During the latter half of 1997 White reunited with Smith another ex-RAINBOW and BLUE OYSTER CULT man drummer Jon Miceli to forge an untitled act completed by GUN / BRUCE DICKINSON guitarist Alex Dickson. However, Dickson landed the plum job of guitarist for ROBBIE WILLIAMS. By 1999 White was to be found fronting XFM, a covers band led by erstwhile FM guitarist Andy Barnett.

O'Reilly formed WESTWORLD with TNT frontman Tony Harnell issuing a debut album in 1999. The same year a confederation of name German Rockers billed as CATCH THE RAINBOW formed a project uniquely dedicated to covering RAINBOW songs. The 1999 album, conceived in the main by HELLOWEEN drummer Uli Kusch, would see vocal contributions from BRAINSTORM's Henne Basse, HELLOWEEN's ANDI DERIS and PRIMAL FEAR's Ralph Scheepers.

Despite the success of the last RAINBOW album Blackmore's next move was to issue a Folk Rock album under the title BLACKMORE'S NIGHT in collaboration with his girlfriend Candice Night. Nevertheless, rumours abounded towards the close of the year that Blackmore had approached both Ronnie James Dio and Bob Daisley to recreate a classic RAINBOW line up. Dio would not deny the stories and indeed Daisley joined DIO for their Scandinavian tour. Meantime the guitarist's move into medieval Folk proved astute, his BLACKMORE'S NIGHT venture proving hugely successful.

White created CORNERSTONE in 2000 in alliance with ROYAL HUNT bassist Steen Morgensen and the album 'Arrival'. The singer had also assembled his own ICE project band and holds the dubious honour of being known to millions as the voice on the 'Action Man' toy TV advert! By September 2001 White was ensconced in Swedish guitar maestro YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's live band.

Of interest to RAINBOW fans would be the HUGHES TURNER PROJECT 2002 album 'Live In Tokyo'. Featuring JOE LYNN TURNER, alongside fellow veteran and erstwhile colleague of Richie Blackmore's from his DEEP PURPLE days GLENN HUGHES. The record included versions of RAINBOW's 'Death Alley Driver', 'I Surrender', 'Street Of Dreams' and 'Spotlight Kid'.

Blackmore has stated that a RAINBOW reformation cannot be ruled out. However, the guitarist took action on a German Rock magazine who brought up the well worn rumour again in late 2002, forcing a written retraction. In early 2004 Ronnie James Dio, believing his act DIO to be charged with the responsibility of keeping the RAINBOW legacy alive on stage, revealed that he had been open to a reformation for many years but all but given up on the idea. However, in March of 2005 the RAINBOW stories re-surfaced once more, mooting a possible series of live dates to feature Dio, Blackmore, Bain and drummer Vinnie Appice. Less than 24 hours after this "leak" official word came from Blackmore's management team strongly refuting the claims.

A more solid revelation came in December when it was announced that Ritchie Blackmore had re-forged links with JOE LYNN TURNER, cutting a duet with Candice Night on a re-work of RAINBOW's 'Street Of Dreams' for the BLACKMORE'S NIGHT album 'Village Lanterne'.